Georgia Southern earns first STARS silver rating for sustainability achievements

Georgia Southern University has earned its first-ever STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in recognition of the University’s commitment to sustainability. STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability across all aspects of higher education. The Silver rating moves Georgia Southern up from its previous Bronze rating.

“Our improved AASHE STARS rating is a direct testament to Sustain Southern’s commitment to leadership in sustainability education, awareness and reporting,” said Jeffrey Marsh, associate director of the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement (OLCE). 

The University’s sustainability programs, known as Sustain Southern, led the effort to report accomplishments for the OLCE, highlighting many initiatives that enable students to get involved in campus sustainability.  

“Reporting helps guide campus sustainability initiatives, measure progress, and ensure transparency,” Marsh said. “The rating also reflects the collaboration among multiple offices and departments as they continue to build a culture of sustainability on Georgia Southern’s campus.”  

Marsh praised the efforts of Sustain Southern, reiterating that its team was instrumental in providing information for the STARS report. He commended Mambwe Mutititi, DPH, the sustainability and leadership coordinator in the OLCE, John Poston, former sustainability coordinator, and Lily Pavilscak, the Sustain Southern graduate assistant. 

“Moving from Bronze to Silver is significant because it highlights the progress we’ve made in fostering a culture where sustainability influences how we teach, learn, work and serve our communities,” Mutititi said. “The move to Silver also provides momentum for future initiatives by reinforcing sustainability as a core part of the University’s identity and by preparing the next generation of leaders to address complex environmental and social challenges.”

With more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. 

“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “Georgia Southern has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”

To learn more about Georgia Southern’s sustainability initiatives, please visit the Sustain Southern website.

Georgia Southern’s STARS rating report is publicly available on the STARS website.